BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | English | Clubs introduce blood injury code Clubs introduce blood injury code Williams had fake blood pouring from his mouth against Leinster The chairmen of all 12 Premiership clubs have adopted a new voluntary code on blood injuries for the start of the 2009/10 rugby season. Opposition team doctors can verify each blood injury that occurs during a game. The agreement follows the 'bloodgate' scandal which saw ex-Harlequins boss Dean Richards banned for three years for orchestrating a fake blood injury. The new season will also see teams cut to 14 players if they are responsible for going to uncontested scrums. The regulations will be in place for the first game of the new Guinness Premiership season, which kicks off when Sale play champions Leicester at Edgeley Park on Friday. The Premiership's bosses hope the measures will go some way to help addressing the widespread criticism following the release of European Rugby Cup's full 'bloodgate' verdict on Harlequins.

606: DEBATE Perhaps the legacy of bloodgate is that rugby will become the most carefully scrutinised and policed team game on Earth sausage1966 Alongside Richards, physiotherapist Steph Brannan was banned for two years while Tom Williams was suspended for four months when the winger used a fake blood capsule to engineer a blood substitution in last season's quarter-final defeat by Leinster. The move enabled fly-half Nick Evans to return to the match in an ultimately fruitless attempt to kick a winning drop-goal for the Londoners. "We have moved quickly to put in place measures that will immediately address issues that have arisen over the summer, as well as other areas of potential controversy and risk," said Premier Rugby chairman Peter Tom. Other measures to be introduced this season are: - Tighter control over the number of people allowed in technical zones during games, with automatic fines for any breach - Education and awareness programme on illicit drugs and alcohol use, mandatory for all players and rugby staff Former Australia and Bath second row Justin Harrison was banned for eight months after admitting to taking illegal drugs. Three of his former club colleagues - Michael Lipman, Alex Crockett and Andrew Higgins - each received nine-month bans for refusing Bath's requests to take drug tests.

Lipman and Crockett have both appealed their bans, with a hearing set to take place in London on 7 September. Bookmark with: Harlequins fake blood injury appeal to be heard on Monday - Telegraph Club Harlequins fake blood injury appeal to be heard on Monday European Rugby Cup officials have confirmed that an appeal hearing into the Harlequins fake injury case will be held in Glasgow on Monday. Hurt. Or maybe not: Harlequins' Tom Williams leaves the field during the clash against Leinster in April. Photo: GETTY IMAGES By Graham Clutton 6:38PM BST 11 Aug 2009 Quins wing Tom Williams, who was found guilty of fabricating a cut to his mouth during the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Leinster in April, has appealed against the severity of his 12-month suspension. Roger O'Conner, the ERC's disciplinary officer, has also lodged two appeals following the original disciplinary verdict. The first is against the level of sanction imposed on Harlequins, who were also found guilty of misconduct and fined £215,000, half of which was suspended for two years.

The ERC has also appealed against the decision of the original committee to dismiss misconduct complaints against director of rugby Dean Richards, club doctor Wendy Chapman and physiotherapist Steph Brennan. Richards has since resigned from his position following an internal club investigation. Related Articles Williams to decide on appeal 06 Aug 2009 Williams's appeal will thrust the spotlight back on what process led to the wing feigning an injury and leaving the field with fake blood smeared around his mouth. With five minutes of the game remaining, Quins trailed Leinster 6-5 and did not have a specialist goal-kicker on the field, having replaced All Black Nick Evans earlier in the match and then seen back-up outside-half Chis Malone carried off injured. A blood replacement was the only way the Guinness Premiership side could legitimately send Evans, who had been officially replaced for tactical reasons, back on to the field. Harlequins engineered one late dropped goal attempt but Evans missed. Williams does not dispute the guilty verdict, only the severity of the sentence.

The South African Rugby Union is unlikely to know until Thursday, at the earliest, what sanctions it might face after being charged by the International Rugby Board for the Springboks wearing 'Justice' armbands for the third Test against the British and Irish Lions on July 4, in protest at the lock Bakkies Botha's two-week suspension. Botha was found guilty of a dangerous charge on Adam Jones during the second Test in Pretoria. The Wales prop Jones was left with a dislocated shoulder and subsequently ruled out of action for six months. The independent disciplinary committee had been expected to reach a verdict on Monday. England full-back Delon Armitage has returned early to London Irish after hurting his right shoulder on a week-long England training camp. The 25-year-old will have a scan on the injury later. Gloucester No8 Luke Narraway has been also been released after suffering discomfort in his lower back.

BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Harlequins | Richards banned for three years Richards banned for three years Williams left the field with fake blood pouring from his mouth against Leinster Ex-Harlequins director of rugby Dean Richards has been banned from coaching in European competition for three years for his role in the fake blood injury. Tom Williams faked injury to allow fly-half Nick Evans to return to the field in a Heineken Cup tie against Leinster. Winger Williams's initial 12-month ban has now been reduced to four months. Quins' fine was increased to £259,000 but European Rugby Cup (ERC) stopped short of the ultimate sanction of throwing them out of this year's Cup. The original fine of 250,000 euros (£206,000) had been half suspended, but the new amount is payable in full. However, Harlequins will be relieved not to have been thrown out of this season's Heineken Cup, which might have cost them 15% of their annual revenue.

Physiotherapist Steph Brennan was handed a two-year ban after an admission of guilt, but the appeal committee dismissed the charge against Dr Wendy Chapman from the club's medical staff. Former England forward Richards, who resigned from his position as director of rugby at Quins last weekend, was also found to have been involved in four similar incidents, hence the severity of his punishment. Reacting to his ban, Richards said: "I'm surprised. Three years is a long time but I'll reflect on it overnight. "I took full responsibility for it. It was a farcical situation, it really was. "It didn't pan out particularly well on the day. Everybody looked at it and thought, 'That's unreal', which is what I thought on the touchline as well. "But I had to hold my hands up." The cover-up is thought to have involved Williams' face being deliberately cut after the Leinster match to hide the fact he had used a fake blood capsule. Richards said: "I have no knowledge of that. I wasn't party to anything going on there. I took full responsibility for it. It was a farcical situation, it really was Dean Richards "I'm not aware that it did happen.

I know that he had a cut but I don't know how it came about because I wasn't in the room." Richards had not decided whether to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. He said: "I'm a little bit shocked, a little bit surprised by it all. "It seems a little bit disproportionate but, at the end of the day, I'll reflect on it overnight and obviously see where my thoughts are in the morning." Reading a statement, Williams said: "I sincerely regret the role that I've played in this unacceptable incident that has done so much damage to the image of rugby union. "I let down my team-mates and the club's fans, and I'll have to live with those actions for the rest of my career. "In deciding to come clean and do the right thing, I've tried honestly to rectify this mess and repay the good faith shown in me by my friends and family. "I would like to thank the ERC disciplinary panel for their decision to reduce my sanction and I am relieved that they did this.

Richards resigned earlier this month after four seasons with Quins "However, I also realise the grave error of judgment that I have made." He added: "I hope that, as a result of this episode, no player or employee will ever be put in such a compromised position, and if they are then they will always tell the truth, as I had wished I had done from the outset." The Professional Rugby Players' Association welcomed the decision to reduce the ban handed down to Williams. "We are grateful to the ERC disciplinary panel that Tom's ban has been reduced on appeal, but the aftermath of this episode has left an indelible stigma on the professional game," said PRA chief executive Damian Hopley. "Tom is a fine young man of good character, even though he is guilty of a serious error of judgement, albeit under instruction from his employer. "He has been under tremendous pressure since the original incident in April, but his determination to tell the truth and attempt to undo the damage done to himself, his family and the image of the game speaks volumes for the enormous remorse he feels." The sanction on Richards applies to ERC-organised tournaments, though the ERC will request it is extended to become a worldwide ban.

The decision, which cannot be appealed against, was made by an independent ERC disciplinary committee in Glasgow late on Monday. A statement on the club's website said: "Whilst the club are pleased that Tom Williams' ban has been reduced, we feel this is a very significant penalty in terms of fine. I also realise the grave error of judgment that I have made Tom Williams "We will now continue with our internal review into all aspects of the business to ensure that we have the most stringent compliance and robust policies and processes in place throughout the club and work towards rebuilding our reputation on and off the field. "We hope that the club can now draw a line under what has been a difficult few months, learn from it and move on." Evans had departed injured in the 47th minute of the 6-5 defeat by Leinster before his replacement at number 10, Chris Malone, also went off injured later in the second half. With time running out, Williams was seen with what appeared to be blood coming out of his mouth, which meant he could go off to be replaced by specialist kicker Evans. Evans missed a drop goal as the Irish side held out for the win before going on to win the Heineken Cup.

Television pictures appeared to show Williams winking at the bench as he went off. Leinster were incensed and their club doctor, Professor Arthur Tanner, followed Williams down the tunnel but was prevented from entering the treatment room. Bookmark with: Harlequins face Heineken Cup ejection in fake blood case | Sport | The Guardian Harlequins face Heineken Cup ejection in fake blood case • Winger's appeal over ban paves way for new hearing • Richards' resignation leaves squad without a leader Tom Williams goes to ground as blood apparently pours from his mouth during the Heineken Cup quarter-final. Photograph: Warren Little/Getty Images Sunday 9 August 2009 20.14 EDT First published on Sunday 9 August 2009 20.14 EDT Close This article is 7 years old Harlequins, who are without a director of rugby after Dean Richards' resignation on Saturday, could be thrown into further turmoil this week. A European Rugby Cup inquiry into the "fake blood injury" allegedly perpetrated by Quins during a match against Leinster in April will in effect be re-opened with the possibility of the London club being ejected from the Heineken Cup .

The club have already been fined €250,000 (£213,000) and had the winger Tom Williams banned for a year. Richards' resignation was one of a rapid series of announcements on Saturday. Now ERC, the controlling body of European club rugby, is organising dates for re-hearing the cases against two members of the Harlequins medical team who were exonerated, along with Richards, by the original three-day inquiry. The new hearing appears to have been made possible by Williams' decision – with the support of the Professional Rugby Players' Association – to contest the severity of his ban. He and Harlequins received details of the inquiry's judgment on Wednesday, allowing until noon on Saturday for an appeal. Once Williams made his decision to appeal, ERC's disciplinary officer, Roger O'Connor, said he was unhappy that Richards, the club doctor, Wendy Chapman, and the physiotherapist, Steph Brennan, had been cleared of involvement in fabricating the blood injury that allowed Nick Evans, the Quins fly-half and kicker, back on to the field during their Heineken Cup quarter-final against Leinster .

Evans returned, with Harlequins a point down, when Williams appeared to have blood around his mouth. However, the television cameras spotted the winger winking. Leinster, who won 6-5, complained but were refused permission to examine Williams. On Saturday, Harlequins said they had been conducting a parallel inquiry and that "during the course of this process Dean Richards unreservedly tendered his resignation from his post as director of rugby. The board of Harlequins has accepted his resignation". Harlequins fully accepted the ERC verdicts and sanctions and acknowledged "that this whole episode has tarnished the image of the club, which has always sought to uphold the highest standards. The level of scrutiny that clubs such as Harlequins now find themselves under means that procedures and processes which may have served us well in the past are no longer adequate." The club were "urgently undertaking a thorough review of internal policies with a view to establishing an appropriate ethics code". All of this will go on while the team are preparing to start the Guinness Premiership season without the man who has been their guiding light over recent seasons.

Nor will it help that building work is continuing on a new stand at The Twickenham Stoop – the increase in capacity is needed as a direct result of the partnership between Richards and Mark Evans, the man who recruited the former England No8 to lift Harlequins out of National Division One. At that time, Richards, who had 20 years as a player and coach at Leicester, was suffering an unhappy spell at Grenoble. However, after one season Harlequins were back in the top flight, finishing seventh and sixth in successive seasons before losing in the play-off semi-finals last May. The 2008-09 season was also marked by home and away wins over Stade Français in the Heineken Cup. The boot of Evans, a former New Zealand fly-half, got Harlequins through to the quarter-final against Leinster, and it was in allegedly attempting to manipulate the replacements to give Evans a shot at saving that game – Richards told the Irish team's coach, Michael Cheika, that he had to "know the laws" – that the former Leicester policeman seems to have come unstuck.

If ERC thought a year's ban was suitable for a player who, apparently, simply bit on a blood capsule, they are unlikely to deal lightly with anyone or any club considered guilty of manipulating such a situation. So, almost exactly a year after many commentators were suggesting that Richards was better suited than Martin Johnson to be England's manager, Harlequins are looking for someone who can repair the damage of his departure. Rugby's 'Bloodgate' scandal rolls on: Trainers 'used razors to fake blood injuries' | Daily Mail Online Rugby's 'Bloodgate' scandal rolls on: Trainers 'used razors to fake blood injuries' comments They're all at it: James Pritchard says cheating is commonplace English rugby's 'Bloodgate' scandal deepened on Monday night when a Canadian World Cup player claimed teams punch their own players and even use razors to fake injuries. James Pritchard, a goal-kicking wing at First Division Bedford, may have to face an RFU panel investigating feigned substitutions following the blood capsule scandal at Harlequins. Pritchard claimed that in one match, a trainer helped induce a blood injury by hitting one of the players.

He said: 'I only found out later that the trainer had come on and when the forwards gathered round he gave the prop a friendly whack so the blood would flow a little more freely. Trainers have also used a razor to nick a player above the eyebrow.' The much-travelled 30-year-old last night refused to identify the match from a career that has taken in Plymouth, Northampton, Perpignan and Bedford. But he said the practice of teams manipulating blood injuries was widespread and added: 'Rugby is a game of cheating because of the complex laws - it depends how much you can get away with.' Pritchard had earlier written in a blog on an Australian rugby website, 'In no way do I condone what Quins did. In fact, I find it downright stupid the way they carried it out and then tried to handle the aftermath. Bloody madness: The accusation comes in light of the 'bloodgate' scandal that has engulfed the game 'But let's face it, this sort of stuff has been going on in rugby for years. It's common knowledge among both players and coaching staff and this is the first time that I can think of that a team has been caught out for it.

'If a player gets asked to take a friendly punch from a team-mate so he can go off and be replaced then there isn't really a great deal that can be done about that.' Harlequins, meanwhile, will have to wait another day before European rugby bosses release further details of the disciplinary process which has so far seen the club fined £260,000. That penalty was imposed after club officials admitted using a fake blood capsule as an excuse to replace wing Tom Williams with goalkicker Nick Evans in the quarterfinal of last season's Heineken Cup against Leinster. A spokesman for European Rugby Cup said a detailed account of Quins' evidence would be released tomorrow, rather than today, because it was taking time for legal teams to draw up the documents. One leading player to deny the widespread use of fake blood is David Barnes, the Bath prop and chairman of Professional Rugby Association, the players' union. He said: 'In all my time in the professional game I've never seen fake blood. I've never come across it.

It obviously did happen at Harlequins but the damage was done to the sport in the cover-up.' The blood saga follows a summer of disturbing incidents, including the banning of three players at Bath for drug offences. Barnes is urging his members to make use of the increased number of lifestyle courses staged by the PRA. He added: 'Players are aware that they are under the spotlight more and more. They must realise they are role models for the grass roots of the game and have to be good ambassadors for their clubs.' Did a rugby player use a blood capsule to fake an injury? - latimes Did a rugby player use a blood capsule to fake an injury? July 09, 2012 |By Brian Cronin Tom Williams of Harlequins goes past the challenge from Ben Youngs of Leicester… (Shaun Botterill / Getty…) RUGBY URBAN LEGEND: A player used a blood capsule to fake a cut as part of an elaborate scheme by his team. One of the more annoying aspects of sports like football and basketball is the concept of "flopping," players pretending to be fouled when they did not actually get foul.

How can the referees possibly tell what happened when the "flopper" does a good acting job? After all, it is easy enough to pretend that you were hit by someone. However, it is a whole other story to try to fake being cut and bleeding. And yet, that's just what happened in 2009 during a rugby union match during the Heineken Cup tournament (a tournament of the top rugby union teams for six countries: England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, France and Italy) between The Harlequin Football Club (from London) and Leinster Rugby (from Dublin). Since the introduction of leagues in 1987, the Harlequin Football Club had been part of the Premier League for every year since, save for the 2005-06 season (they dominated National Division One that season and quickly returned to the Premier League). They just recently (a little over a month ago) won the Aviva Premiership as the top team in the English Premier League, with a 30-23 defeat of the Leicester Tigers in front of 81,779 people at Twickenham Stadium. So this is a very well-respected team in the rugby union.

So what happened in their match on April 12 of 2009 is even more shocking. Leinster squeaked out a win in the match 6-5 (and actually went on to win the Heineken Cup). However, it was not before Harlequin player Nick Evans missed a late opportunity for a tying goal. Evans had been injured in the game early on and was only allowed to substitute back in because another Harlequin player, Tom Williams, suffered a cut to his mouth. The bleeding Williams was taped by Sky Sports winking to his teammates as he came to the sidelines, but no one really thought much about it (it did not even make the Sky Sports broadcast of the game). Leinster raised concerns about the substitution. Dean Richards, director of rugby for the Harlequins (the coach of the team), responded to their initial complaints by saying, "You have to know the rules. If they don’t, it’s not my problem. It was almost a last throw of the dice to bring back Nick.

I was a bit reluctant but went with it." Leinster continued to put pressure on the league so a week after the game, European Club Rugby (ERC) assigned an investigator to look into the controversial substitution and after a month of investigation, announced on July 20th a year-long ban for Tom Williams with no findings against anyone else on the Harlequins. Naturally, Williams was not happy about being labeled the only "wrongdoer" here, so he talked to the ERC and revealed that not only was he specifically told to fake the injury, but he was supplied with a blood capsule that he was to break to achieve the deception. Furthermore, in one of the most bizarre twists in the scandal, team doctor Wendy Chapman actually cut Williams with a blade so that the alleged cut actually now did exist in case anyone checked it out. The ERC reduced Williams' suspension from twelve months to four. It suspended team physiotherapist Steph Brennan (who actually supplied the blood capsules) for two years. It suspended Richards (who had already resigned after Williams’ suspension) for three years. It also fined the Harlequins nearly 300,000 pounds.

Later investigations discovered that the Harlequins had done this particular move four previous times! Chapman (who cut Williams after the fact) got off with just a warning. Chapman also got off with a warning from England's Health Professions Council (HPC) for cutting Williams. Brennan, though, was actually banned by the HPC. Last year, he appealed the ruling and was reinstated (with the argument being that his actions deserved censure, not an outright ban). Williams said at the time, "I let down my teammates and the club's fans, and I'll have to live with those actions for the rest of my career. In deciding to come clean and do the right thing, I've tried honestly to rectify this mess and repay the good faith shown in me by my friends and family." Mark Evans, chief executive of the Harlequins, said "I would like to apologise to the supporters of Harlequins on behalf of the club. Some of you will feel that manipulation of the substitution; uncontested scrums and sin binning rules are so widespread in the game that this case has been blown out of all proportion.

Others will feel it a terrible episode which makes them ashamed of the club they love." Harlequins fake-blood fiasco: Tom Williams turns on bosses as it is revealed blood capsule came from a joke shop | Daily Mail Online Harlequins fake-blood fiasco: Tom Williams turns on bosses as it is revealed blood capsule came from a joke shop comments Rugby's 'bloodgate' affair erupted in fresh controversy on Tuesday night as the full extent of the attempted cover-up by Harlequins from boardroom to playing level was laid bare. In a devastating disciplinary report, it emerged that sustained efforts were made to stop Tom Williams - the player who faked an injury using a blood capsule - from blowing the whistle, revelations that dragged the London club's chairman, Charles Jillings, and chief executive, Mark Evans, into the scandal. The report of the European Rugby Cup appeals panel released yesterday outlined how the 25-year-old wing had been placed under 'immense pressure to tell lies'. Heard the one about the physio and the joke shop?

The 'embarrassing' truth about the origin of Harlequins' blood capsules What a bloody mess: Williams and Brennan (L), who was also banned As it came to light that former Quins physio Steph Brennan had bought capsules from a joke shop in Clapham, the RFU expressed its 'concern' and pledged to investigate the new information, before launching a review of cheating involving the substitution laws. The blood-faking incident occurred near the end of Harlequins' Heineken Cup quarter-final against Leinster at The Stoop on April 12. Quins' coach Dean Richards wanted to bring Nick Evans, the club's drop-kick expert who had been substituted at halftime, back on to the field. In the circumstances, this was only permissible if an on-field player suffered a blood injury. CLICK HERE TO READ THE READ THE ERC APPEAL DOCUMENT IN FULL An initial ERC disciplinary hearing banned Williams for a year, reduced to four months at the appeal on August 17. Richards, who had stood down from his post as director of rugby before the appeal, was then suspended for three years.

The former England No 8 was portrayed by Williams in his testimony as a dictator figure who railroaded him into lying to the original hearing. 'There was no doubt that he ran the show,' said Williams. 'I did not feel able to challenge his authority. Authority: Dean Richards with his Harlequins players 'In a meeting with me and, I think, Steph Brennan, Richards provided us with completed statements to read and sign. The way in which Dean presented it to me made it clear that I had no real choice, and that I was expected to toe the club's line.' Richards was subsequently critical of Williams' delivery of evidence and suggested that the player would be better 'coached' before facing the appeal panel. Yet attempts to stop Williams lifting the lid on the extent of the cheating culture at the club went higher than Richards. Mark Evans' role in trying to limit the fall-out by pressurising his employee has now been exposed. Happier times: Tom Williams in action for Harlequins In a meeting with the chief executive on July 31, Williams recalled: 'Mark was friendly but outlined the consequences of me appealing on a full disclosure basis.

He told me this route could result in the club being expelled from the Heineken Cup, they would lose sponsors, Wendy (Chapman, club doctor) and Steph could be struck off for life. 'He said it would be worse than relegation. Mark Evans' suggestion that I pursue a limited type of appeal was contrary to my own feelings and my advice. I decided that I would not allow the club to make me lie again.' Following a later meeting between his lawyers and Evans, Williams said: 'Mark apparently replied that I was making a mistake. I understand Mark then said that this would be my responsibility . . . and that it would be very difficult for me at the club should I choose this course of action.' Expert kicker: Nick Evans, the man Harlequins wanted to replace Tom Williams Jillings, the club chairman, then tried to ensure Williams limited the scope of his appeal with a significant package of incentives. However, once Richards resigned, Quins threw their weight behind Williams' right to mount a 'full disclosure' appeal.

Williams describes the offer and his response as follows: 'This consisted of payment of my salary while I was suspended, an assurance that I would be selected on merit once my suspension ended, a two-year contract extension, a testimonial, a three-year employment opportunity with the club after I retired and an assurance that he would take a direct interest in my post-rugby career. 'I began to waver from my previous decision. After discussing this with my girlfriend, I took the view that adequate compensation for all of this would be the club apologising to me, extending my contract on improved terms and paying off the mortgage on the house I own with my girlfriend.' Williams said he was involved in negotiations with Chapman over his claim that she reluctantly cut him with a scalpel, in order to cover up the faked injury. 'She expressed concern at the impact if it came out that she had cut my lip,' he alleged, although none of his statements concerning Dr Chapman have been ruled on by the appeals panel, as she has had no opportunity to answer them.

Newcastle: Dean Richards plays down Harlequins reunion - BBC Sport BBC Sport Newcastle: Dean Richards plays down Harlequins reunion 28 Nov 2013 From the section Rugby Union Share this page Read more about sharing. Director of rugby Dean Richards places no extra significance on Newcastle's game with Harlequins this Sunday. It will be the first time Richards has faced Quins since departing in 2009 after a well-publicised blood scandal. There is no more emotion attached to it. If we were playing Leicester then I'd give you a different answer Newcastle boss Dean Richards speaking about the coming game with former club Harlequins He was handed a three-year coaching ban for his role in orchestrating a fake blood injury that allowed full-back Tom Williams to be replaced by Nick Evans. "It's nearly five years since all that happened and everything just passes by," Richards told BBC Newcastle. In a Heineken Cup game with Leinster, Quins had used all their substitutions and wanted to bring on a more experienced goal-kicker. So the replacement could be made as a result of a blood injury, a blood capsule was used so that it appeared Williams had been cut.

This weekend, the Falcons will face a team containing the backbone of a side assembled by Richards during his four years at the Stoop, having taken over following their relegation from the Premiership - much like Richards' Quins legacy The players in Quins' starting XV against Gloucester last weekend that Richards had at the club: Backs: Mike Brown, Tom Williams, Ugo Monye, Nick Evans, Danny Care. Forwards: Joe Marler, Nick Easter, George Robson, Luke Wallace, Tom Guest. The Quins starting XV in contained 10 players from Richards' time in charge, including both Williams and Evans. "My relationship with Harlequins remains just fine and I still know quite a lot of people there," he commented "But there is no more emotion attached to the game. If we were playing Leicester [with whom he spent 22 years as player and coach] then I'd give you a different answer. "Quins are a good side that has barely changed for eight years.

We're evolving and can hopefully replicate that continuity." Share this page Bloodgate: How the scandal unfolded when Harlequins met Leinster in April 2009 - Telegraph European Rugby Bloodgate: How the scandal unfolded when Harlequins met Leinster in April 2009 The Irish side led the Heineken Cup final 6-5 with the clock running when the incident that scarred the name of Harlequins occured Scandal: Nick Evans re-enters the field as referee Nigel Owens talks to Harlequins coach Dean Richards Photo: GETTY IMAGES During the Heineken Cup quarter-final between Harlequins and Leinster at the Stoop on April 12, 2009. What happened? The match was close, finishing 6-5 to Leinster, Mike Brown scoring a try for Quins, Argentina’s Felipe Contepomi kicking two penalties. A successful kick one way or the other was going to settle matters.

Quins had one of the best kickers in the game in Nick Evans They did, but he picked up an injury and was replaced early in the second half by Chris Malone, who could not convert Brown’s try and then got injured himself. As the clock ticked down, Quins director of rugby, Dean Richards, signalled to officials that wing Tom Williams needed treatment to a cut lip. Evans hobbled back on. That was lucky Not really. Williams had been told to come off, biting into a fake blood capsule to simulate a blood injury. TV cameras caught him winking towards the dugout, the first sign that something was amiss. TV commentary wondered if Williams had hit himself. So the scam was revealed immediately? No. It took four months for the story to emerge. European Rugby Cup set up an investigation straight away but failed to get clear answers. Related Articles Dean Richards ready to return from 'Bloodgate' scandal - BBC Sport BBC Sport Dean Richards ready to return from 'Bloodgate' scandal By Alastair Eykyn BBC Sport rugby union commentator 10 May 2012 From the section Rugby Union Share this page Read more about sharing. Dean Richards Dean Richards has done his time.

More than three years have elapsed since that fateful afternoon at the Twickenham Stoop when he found himself at the centre of one of rugby's biggest scandals. It became known as "Bloodgate" and it stained the reputation of one of the game's finest players, as well as one of its finest clubs, Harlequins. On 12 April, 2009, Leinster beat Harlequins 6-5 in a Heineken Cup quarter-final. Fly-half Nick Evans missed a last-minute drop-goal to win the game for Quins. He had been substituted earlier, but was allowed to return to the field as a "blood replacement" for winger Tom Williams.

Bloodgate - a timeline Steph Brennan and Tom Williams April 2009: Tom Williams uses a fake blood capsule to feign injury in Harlequins' Heineken Cup quarter-final against Leinster Aug 2009: Dean Richards resigns as director of rugby at Quins Aug 2009: Richards banned from coaching for three years Aug 2009: Quins chairman Charles Jillings resigns Sept 2010: Former Quins physio Steph Brennan struck off by Health Professions Council Jan 2011: Brennan wins High Court appeal against ban March 2012: Richards named as director of rugby at Newcastle Falcons The blood inside Williams's mouth was fake. Harlequins had cheated in an attempt to gain a competitive edge. The fall-out rocked the rugby world. As director of rugby at Harlequins and the man who issued the instructions for the subterfuge, Richards was the chief casualty. After four months of protracted disciplinary hearings, he resigned and was handed a three-year ban from all rugby. He returns to the game in August as the new boss at the Newcastle Falcons.

The former England number eight is repentant, regretful and looking forward to his new challenge. "I felt very guilty," he told BBC Sport. "I put a lot of people in a position where they could have lost everything. "I'm not the type of person to go match-fixing. I am very competitive and the reason I did it is because I wanted to win a game. I shouldn't have done it. "We all felt that this was something that was happening on a regular basis at other clubs. We felt it was common practice. But that's not an excuse. It should never have happened." Richards believes his suspension will serve as notice to others. He is hopeful that such sharp practice has been removed from the game as a result. "I hope I haven't served my three years for nothing," he said. "I hope other people have learned from my mistakes. "I am still as competitive as ever, but I know the boundaries that I have to work in." Steph Brennan was the Harlequins team physiotherapist who gave Williams the blood capsule. He was struck off by the Health Professions Council before winning a High Court appeal almost two years after the incident. People may think I am a cheat.

That's up to them, if they want to. I have no issues if that's the way they feel Dean Richards Former Harlequins director of rugby Richards feels a great sense of responsibility. "Steph is a good friend of mine," he said. "I felt very sorry for him. I would have done anything to help him. I was very pleased to see him reinstated." What about Richards's relationship with Williams? In his disclosure, the winger painted his boss as a bully. Richards takes issue with this version of events, but is keen to draw a line in the sand. "The way I was portrayed was not accurate," he said. "We are in the media spotlight and they latched on to that. "My relatives, my friends and people I know well supported me. They know I am competitive, but they also know that there is a part of me which is the biggest softie around. But people don't see that. "I have a very limited relationship with Tom. I have met him since. We have shaken hands and said 'hello'. If he is still angry with me, he hasn't shown it. I would hope he isn't, considering the outcome. "He's a good player.

His starts at Quins have justified his ability. Would I take him on at Newcastle? I probably wouldn't. It would probably be a recipe for disaster, purely because of what the media would make of it." Richards has bided his time, stepped away from the game he loves and become involved in a host of different things. He acted as a consultant for an insurance company, has been active on the after-dinner circuit and devoted a lot of time to the Prostate Cancer Charity. He has been struck by the response to his misdemeanour. "You tend to find out who your friends are in situations like that," he said. "It was interesting to see who rallied in support, especially in the village that I lived in. They were very good to me. On the whole, people have been forgiving." Asked if he appreciates that there will be those who will always look upon him as a cheat, Richards replied: "They may do. That's up to them, if they want to. I have no issues if that's the way they feel.

Dean Richards factfile Date of birth: 11 July 1963 Clubs: Leicester Lions caps: 6 Coaching career: Leicester (1998-2004), FC Grenoble (2004-05), Harlequins (2005-09) "I know who I am, and I know what I did. I wasn't particularly pleased with myself. I wasn't proud of myself. But you move on and you look forward rather than back." Richards has kept a close eye on the game. As director of rugby at Leicester, he won four league titles and two Heineken Cups. He was always going to be a man in demand. He revealed: "I had a lot of interest and a lot of options. I chose Newcastle because of the vision of the owner Semore Kurdi. "I still have a burning passion to win competitions. It's a fantastic area. They are mad keen on all sport. When I start in August, it will be full steam ahead." So is there a chance he might one day coach England, despite the scars of Bloodgate? "I hope Stuart Lancaster gets the support that he deserves and the chance to prove himself.

"For me, things would have to be right. I'd like the ball to be in my court. I don't know if the RFU would consider me. Having seen what I've seen, if someone asked me to be England manager today, I'd say 'no'." Richards is focused solely on Newcastle. He has been given an opportunity to prove himself again as a coach of the highest quality. He will forever be associated with Bloodgate, but he is clearly thrilled at the prospect of returning to rugby. "It's a game I love and have a huge passion for," he said. "There is huge regret for everything that went on, but, at the same time, it's a game I love and I think I've got something to offer it." Listen to the exclusive interview with Dean Richards in full on 5 live Rugby on BBC Radio 5 live on Thursday from 2100-2230 BST. Share this page

Question: Which rugby union team in 2009 was responsible for a fake blood injury during a Heineken Cup match?
Answer: HARLEQUINS